James Dowdle says tackling youth unemployment is about 'breaking barriers' and 'building trust' [BBC]
A youth worker has described how a diagnosis of autism became the 'catalyst' for a career helping others.
James Dowdle works with the Warren Youth Project in Hull to help young people into work.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged to “eliminate long-term youth unemployment” by guaranteeing a paid workplace for those who have been out of work or education for 18 months.
James, 28, from Barton-upon-Humber, North Lincolnshire, believes the key lies in removing barriers to work and said their diagnosis in 2022 “answered a few questions about my struggles”.
“It made me feel much better about myself, much more capable,” she added.
James felt “lost and aimless” after completing a university degree at home during the Covid-19 pandemic and then struggled to find work for about two years.
However, after being diagnosed with autism and moving to London, they got a job in employment support at the St Giles Trust.
“I saw all the opportunities people had in London, whether it was internships or jobs in general, and it made me think about what was available at home,” James told the BBC's Politics North show.
Since returning north to join the Warren earlier this year, James has been working with young people facing a range of issues.
“For some it's about an internship or a degree, for others it's about finding a job to earn some money,” they said.
“We also see other barriers such as mental health, substance abuse, someone becoming homeless and sometimes debt.”
'Time and money'
According to recent figures, there are 948,000 people aged 16 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training.
James said that while managing “several barriers” was key to tackling the problem, success would also take time and money, with “consistent funding” from the government.
“People will always need support to get to work and people will always face barriers,” she added.
A government spokesman said almost a million young people had been “locked out of the system” and “written off”.
Those not in work or education and on Universal Credit for 18 months would be “offered a guaranteed job through our new Youth Guarantee”.
“This is as we work with the business community to create opportunities and test new ways to deliver targeted employment support for young people,” the spokesperson added.
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